1. Junior Football Umpiring Program Club Umpiring Theory Session 1 (First Years)

2. Role of the Umpire
Interpret and apply the basic laws according to the spirit of the laws of modified football
Ensure a safe environment for all participants

3. Match Day Schedule Prior to Match
Arrive at Ground a minimum of 15 minutes prior to your match
Contact your Club Umpire Coordinator if you are running late
Report to Club Umpire Coordinator or Ground Marshall on arrival
Get changed and be ready to start your match 5 minutes prior to scheduled start time
If necessary, report any problems with the field of play to the Ground Marshall
Meet the Captain and Coach for both teams
Introducing yourself to all players prior to the start of the match
Introduce yourself so players know your name
Project yourself in a positive, firm and confident manner
There is no need to discuss how you will umpire for the game- we never change the way we umpire, only improve

4. Match Day Schedule During Match
Cooperate with volunteers (eg: Parents as goal umpires)
Treat players with respect at all times
Eg: Please and thankyous
Act as a Mentor as well as an Umpire
Officiate as an umpire applying laws and ensuring a safe environment
As required, act as a mentor to all players to guide them where they may confused.
If required, use the coach as a tool to control/manage troublesome players
If required, use the Ground Marshall as a tool to manage possible conflict situations
After Match
Report to Club Umpire Coordinator or Ground Marshall after your match to advise of outcome or incidents from match

5. Laws and Interpretations Spirit of the Game
GIVE ALL AVAILABLE PLAYERS A GAME OF FOOTBALL IN WHICH THEY HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN POSSESSION OF THE BALL AND SAFELY DISPOSE OF IT BY KICK OR HANDBALL
The player whose sole objective is to contest the ball shall be permitted to do so
Ensure a safe environment
Project players from illegal contact
Award all free kicks

6. Laws and Interpretations The Team
U8’s
9 a side
(3 forwards, 3 centres, 3 backs)
Interchanges can be made at any
time but all players must play at
least 3 quarters of the match
U9’s/U10’s
12 a side
(4 forwards, 4 centres, 4 backs)
Interchanges can be made at any time but
all players must play at least 3 quarters of
the match B B F F C C C C B F F B B F C C C F B F B

7. Laws and Interpretations Zones / Positions
U8’s
Backs - restricted to the back zone.
Centres - restricted to the centre zone.
Forwards - restricted to forward zone.
Rotate players to provide opportunities in serval positions
Players must stay inside their zones
U9’s/U10’s
Umpire to instruct players to stay in their positions
Players may cross their zones into other zone however will be instructed to return by the umpire at ball ups / start of plays

8. Laws and Interpretations Scoring
U8’s/U9’s/U10’s
Only forward zone players can score F F F

9. Laws and Interpretations Start and Restarting Play
U8’s/U9’s/U10’s
A BALL-UP is conducted between 2 centre players of similar height as nominated by the umpire. The umpire should nominate different pairs of players for subsequent ball-ups after goals are scored.
TIP - If possible, at the start of the quarter, line up centre plays from each team against an opposition player of equal height. Assign each pair a number so you can call a different number at each ball up

10. Laws and Interpretations Scrimmage and Field Ball Ups
U8’s
Where a scrimmage develops, if a free kick is not possible the umpire shall stop play, send players back to their positions and nominate 2 players of equal size to contest a ball up.
At the ball up, ‘full possession’ and diving on the ball are not permitted.
U9’s/U10’s
Field ball-ups are contested by 2 players if similar height (selected by the umpire) after all other players have been sent back to their positions

11. Laws and Interpretations Full Possession
U8’s/U9’s/U10’s
In relation to all ball-ups the following full possession rule applies as follows:
A player contesting a ball up may not grab the ball and play on
The player must knock, palm or punch the ball to a team mate or open ground and may not play the ball again until it has been touched by another player or hit the ground

12. Laws and Interpretations Transition
U8’s/U9’s/U10’s
When a team moves the ball from the back zone, it must be touched by a player from the centre zone, or a free kick will be paid to the opposition team at the point where the ball entered the end zone

13. Laws and Interpretations Marking and Playing On
U8’s
A mark is awarded, irrespective of the distance the ball has travelled, to any player who catches the ball, or
makes a reasonable attempt to catch the ball from a kick.
A reasonable attempt means two hands/arms to mark and eyes on the ball
Umpire to set the mark after awarded
No playing on allowed (as in running off the mark)- reset kick is occurs
U9’s and 10’s
A mark is awarded, irrespective of the distance the ball has travelled, to any player who catches the
ball directly from the kick of another player. (Player must have control of the ball in the mark).
Playing on (running off the mark)
If a player takes a mark and an opposition player is in the immediate area the player must go back and kick or handball the ball where the umpire has set the mark. They are not permitted to run off the mark
If a player takes a mark and there is no opposition player in the immediate area then the player who marked the ball is permitted to play on (Run off the mark)
If a player is paid a mark (shown control) but the ball has hit the ground the player must go back and kick or handball the ball where the umpire has set the mark. They are not permitted to run off the mark.

14. Laws and Interpretations Tackling/Possession Rule
U8’s
Once a player gains possession, all other players must back off to the side of the player in possession, so that the player may kick or handball uncontested.
There is to be no tackling, blocking or standing in the pathway of the player in possession.
Decide doubtful cases with a ball up.
Umpire: “He/She has the ball, clear out for the kick”
A free kick is awarded is a player holds, tackles or blocks the path of the player
U9’s/U10’s
Players can “Hold and Release” a player in possession of the ball by grabbing his/her jumper. Bumping, slinging or deliberately bringing a player to the ground, grabbing the arms or applying a wrap around tackle are prohibited.
No Prior Opportunity
Player said not to have had an opportunity to dispose of ball before being tackled
Umpire: “Hold, Release, 3, 2, 1”
Holding the ball free kick will result if a kick or handball is not achieved within three seconds
Play On will result if the player achieved a kick or handball within three seconds
Once called to release, the player with the ball will receive a free kick if the opposition does not release within reasonable time.
Prior Opportunity
Player has had an opportunity to dispose before being tackled
Umpire: “Hold, Release, Holding the Ball”
Holding the ball will be the result
Can’t knock ball out of hand (except accidental), once a hold and release tackle is applied players must allow a kick or handball to occur

15. Laws and Interpretations Out of Bounds
U8’s/U9’s/U10’s
From a kick – a free kick is awarded against the player who last kicked the ball.
From a handball, the ball is run over the line or the ball comes off the body, the umpire shall call for a ball up 5 metres in from the boundary
Decide doubtful cases with a ball up 5 metres in from the boundary
There are no rules deliberate relating to deliberate out of bound

16. Laws and Interpretations
Shepherding / Barging
U8’s/U9’s/U10’s
Not permitted
Kicking off the Ground
Not permitted unless accidentally

17. Laws and Interpretations Bouncing / Distance Run
U8’s
Bouncing is optional but no more than one bounce is permitted.
A player running with the ball must bounce it within 5 metres.
The player must then dispose of it by hand or foot and may not touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
Encourage the player to dispose of the ball towards the end of their 5 metre run
If the player exceeds the distance and after encouraged to dispose, penalise the player for running too far
U9’s/U10’s
Only one bounce is permitted.
A player running with the ball must bounce it within 10 metres.
Encourage the player to dispose of the ball towards the end of their 10 metre run
If the player exceeds the distance and after encouraged to dispose, penalise the player for running too far

18. Illegal Shepard/ Block
Umpiring Signals
Start of Game
Holding the Ball
High Contact
Trip
Push in the Back
Running too far
All Clear, Goal
All Clear, Behind
Illegal Shepard/ Block
Holding
Ball Up
Full Time